Sevilla 0-0 Benfica (Sevilla win 4-2 on penalties) - BBC Sport AET HT 0-0 FT 0-0 Sevilla win 4-2 on penalties Sevilla 0-0 Benfica (Sevilla win 4-2 on penalties) By Neil Johnston Sevilla beat Benfica on penalties to win the Europa League in Turin, their third triumph in the competition in nine seasons. Benfica, losers in their seven previous European finals, were seeking a first continental trophy since 1962. And the Portuguese side might have ended that sequence had Lima's late effort not been hooked off the line. It fell to Kevin Gameiro to score the winning spot-kick after Sevilla keeper Beto denied Oscar Cardozo and Rodrigo. Carlos Bacca, Stephane Mbia, who is on loan from Queens Park Rangers, and Jorge Moreno were also on target for the Spanish club. Brazilian Lima and Luisao did find the net for Benfica but Lisbon-born Beto denied the side from his home city with crucial saves to keep out Cardozo and Rodrigo.

Sevilla also won the competition in 2007, beating Espanyol on a penalty shootout Sevilla overcame fellow Spanish side Espanyol on penalties to win the 2007 final, 12 months after beating Middlesbrough for their first success in the competition, known then as the Uefa Cup. But while Los Rojiblancos's 9,000 travelling fans celebrated another triumph in Europe's second-tier club competition, Benfica's long wait for success on the continent continues. Despite recently sealing a 33rd domestic title, their attempt to rid themselves of the increasingly troublesome "Guttmann curse" goes on. Benfica's Hungarian coach of the early 1960s Bela Guttmann led the club to back-to-back European Cups but left shortly after the second of those triumphs when he was refused a pay rise. Before going he declared that Benfica would never win another European competition without him at the helm. Fifty-two years on, they have still to prove him wrong. Jorge Jesus's side had beaten Tottenham and Juventus on their way to the final, and were chasing a unique domestic and European quadruple.

A largely uneventful opening half came to life shortly before the interval, Beto saving from Benfica's Spanish forward Rodrigo at his near post moments after denying Maxi Pereira. Then the Lisbon club were denied a stoppage-time penalty, German referee Felix Brych waving away strong Portuguese appeals after a foul on Nicolas Gaitan. There was more action in the first five minutes of the second half than the previous 45 as Benfica carried on from where they left off. Nicolas Pareja hooked Lima's shot off the line before Rodrigo's goal-bound attempt was charged down. Spanish strife Benfica are without a win in their last 14 European games against Spanish opponents (D6 L8) Sevilla responded with a sweeping move of their own, Moreno picking out Jose Antonio Reyes, but the former Arsenal striker's first-time shot produced a fine save from Jan Oblak. Six minutes from the end of normal time, Benfica's Lima thought he had won it with a curling shot which Beto somehow managed to claw away. Chances were few and far between in extra time as the players tired and nerves increased, though Bacca went close when he raced through on goal, only to fire his effort wide.

But Sevilla's frustration did not last long, as they sent their fans into raptures with four well-taken penalties to extend Benfica's European misery. Sevilla manager Unai Emery: "At times the game was totally even, but by the end they were doing most of the pushing. "You could tell our players were suffering from fatigue and physical discomfort but this team has learned how to suffer. "We have learned how to stay strong and so we were ready for that." Benfica coach Jorge Jesus: "We were better but in football, the best team doesn't always win.

We had the more chances over 120 minutes but we didn't take them." 23 Andújar Moreno Booked at 98mins 16 Moreno Booked at 12mins 6 Carriço 2 Fazio Booked at 11mins 19 Reyes Substituted for Marin at 78'minutesSubstituted for Gameiro at 104'minutes 40 Mbia 20 Machín Pérez Substituted for Figueiras at 110'minutes Substitutes 16 Siqueira Booked at 30minsSubstituted for Cardozo at 99'minutes 30 André Gomes 8 Sulejmani Substituted for Almeida at 25'minutesBooked at 100mins 6 Amorim 20 Gaitán Substituted for Cavaleiro at 119'minutes Substitutes Sevilla beat cursed Benfica on penalties in Europa League final - CNN.com Sevilla beat cursed Benfica on penalties in Europa League final updated 3:47 AM EDT, Thu May 15, 2014 The

 party begins in Turin as Sevilla celebrate winning their first European title since 2007 and the third in the club's history.

Sevilla forward Carlos Bacca is a livewire for the Spanish side in the Europa League final but he can only watch as several chances sail past. No stranger to a piece of silverware, former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson (left) enjoys a night out with Juventus manager Antonio Conte at the first European football final of the season. Ezequiel Garay (left) is just one Benfica player left ruing missed chances in the first 90 minutes of the Europa League final at the Juventus Stadium in Italy. Benfica's Brazilian forward Lima (right) is brought down by Sevilla's defender Alberto Moreno inside the box on a tense night when both sides had penalty appeals turned down. There are tears of joy as Sevilla goalkeeper Beto saves two penalty kicks to seal a 4-2 penalty shootout victory for the Spanish side.

HIDE CAPTION STORY HIGHLIGHTS Sevilla defeat Benfica 4-2 on penalties to win the Europa League in Turin The Spanish side join an elite group of teams to have lifted the European trophy three times Benfica's European curse continues as the Portuguese club have now lost eight European finals Spain will win all European trophies in 2014 as Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid contest Champions League (CNN) -- Spain are an unstoppable force in European football. Sevilla beat Benfica in a penalty shootout to win the Europa League Wednesday with La Liga rivals Real Madrid or Atletico Madrid guaranteed to claim the Champions League crown. As an hors d'oeuvre to the mouthwatering final on 24 May, the Europa League provided plenty of drama. Sevilla edged out their Portuguese rivals 4-2 on penalties after a tense 120 minutes of play at the Juventus Stadium in Turin. The Spanish side joined an elite group of teams to have lifted the European trophy three times following their UEFA Cup wins in 2006 and 2007. Benfica have now lost eight European finals -- and the club's peculiar curse continues .

After winning the European Cup for a second time in 1962, then manager Bela Guttman was denied a pay rise and promptly declared the club would not succeed on the continent for 100 years. The so-called hex struck again as Benfica tried to lay their ghosts to rest on Italian soil. Tweets by @CNNFC Jorge Jesus' side had not lost a match on their way to Wednesday's Europa League final while Sevilla had scored 22 goals on their rockier road to the showdown. Despite this goal-scoring prowess, football's first European silverware of the season was decided on penalties after a goalless 90 minutes. Sevilla's lively forward Carlos Bacca and Jose Antonio Reyes had a thrilling series of chances repelled. At the opposite end, Brazilians Lima and Rodrigo forged a potent twin threat for Benefica. Lima forced a fingertip save from Beto when he sent a fizzing long range effort in the Sevilla keeper's direction but the Spaniard's defense held firm -- and the match went into extra time. With another 30 minutes added to the clock, Lima and Bacca once again had the best of the chances.

Bacca was put through on goal with a sensational pass from Sevilla captain Ivan Rakitic but the Colombian flicked his left-footed shot wide. It was the last real chance either side had to win the match in regulation play. Lima and Bacca may have struggled to find the back of the net in the final's early stages but both scored as the penalties began in front of the roaring Sevilla fans. Benfica substitute Oscar Cardozo was the first to lose his cool. The experienced forward's hesitant shot was easily collected by Beto. The curse struck again as Rodrigo's stuttering shot was saved. Sevilla's Stephane Mbia,Coke and Spanish international Kevin Gameiro all scored from the spot to see the European trophy join them on the flight back to Spain. Benfica now turn their attention to the Portuguese Cup final where the league champions hope to secure a domestic treble safe in the knowledge that at least on home soil the hex cannot strike again. French football great bids adieu updated 6:23 AM EST, Tue December 16, 2014 After 20 years, more than 300 goals and a host of major honors, Thierry Henry has called time on his glittering football career.

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Substitute Kevin Gameiro stepped up to score the decisive kick as the drama played out at the end housing Sevilla fans who have seen this story before. Sevilla had ousted city rival Real Betis on penalties in the last-16 round, and also won this competition in 2007 in a shootout. The Portuguese champion had dominated regulation time yet failed to score, and extended its streak of losing European finals to eight matches over 52 years. "The best team did not win," Benfica coach Jorge Jesus said. "Benfica players should be congratulated," Jesus said. "There is nothing I can criticize." Sevilla had seemed destined to win a competition it entered only after UEFA denied two Spanish clubs places because of financial problems. It had also been seconds from elimination in the semifinals against another Spanish team, Valencia. "We know how to suffer and we know how to fight. I think the result was fair," said Sevilla coach Unai Emery. "It's a very special evening." Sevilla, which won the competition for the third time in nine seasons, ensured Spain will sweep the season-ending European club competitions, with Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid meeting in the Champions League final on May 24.

Next month Spain will defend its World Cup crown in Brazil and seek to clinch a record fourth straight major international trophy after winning the European Championship in 2008 and 2012. Benfica, however, has not won a continental trophy since its greatest player, Eusebio, inspired two straight European Cup titles in 1961 and '62. Four months after Eusebio died aged 71, the Lisbon club missed another chance to end the unwanted record. Benfica returned to the scene of its semifinals triumph against Juventus and the match kicked off with patches of empty sets in the Italian champion's stadium. Three early opportunities for Sevilla broke down for Carlos Bacca's lack of finishing. The Colombia forward failed to shoot when collecting a pass across the goalmouth, drifted offside in a fast break started by captain Ivan Rakitic, and then could not connect with Rakitic's angled low cross. A testy spell midway through the half lacked creativity, and even Rakitic's shot from the center circle drifted well wide of goal. Benfica ended the half strongly, aided by loose play in the heart of Sevilla's defense.

Sevilla relied on Beto for a double save, swatting away Maxi Pereira's looping shot from close range and then parrying Rodrigo's low drive. Benfica claimed a penalty when Nicolas Gaitan fell under pressure from defender Federico Fazio who poked the ball barely wide of his own goal. Poor positional play by Sevilla defenders in the 48th was redeemed by three crucial blocks in the goalmouth as Lima, twice, and Rodrigo fired shots from 10 meters (yards). German referee Felix Brych rejected repeated Benfica penalty claims, with one clean tackle on Lima bringing a shower of flag sticks thrown by Portuguese fans behind Sevilla's goal. At the other end, former Arsenal forward Jose Antonio Reyes twice tested Jan Oblak around the hour mark with rising shots straight at the Benfica 'keeper. Sevilla needed another saving tackle in the 72th, when Coke denied Lima as the Brazilian shaped to connect with Maxi Pereira's lateral pass. Benfica again finished the half on top, and Beto leaped to tip over Lima's shot in the 84th.

When Beto then lost a deep cross, defender Ezequiel Garay headed over an empty Sevilla goal as the scoring chances continued to go begging. Bacca could have won it for Sevilla when breaking clear in the 101st minute but his rising shot flashed just wide. But Bacca, like his teammates, made no such mistake in the shootout - as Sevilla repeated its success on spotkicks in the 2007 UEFA Cup final against Espanyol. Reblog Sevilla beats Benfica in Europa Lge on penalties Sevilla beats Benfica in Europa Lge on penalties Sevilla beats Benfica 4-2 in penalty shootout in Europa League final after 0-0 draw Post to Facebook Sevilla beats Benfica in Europa Lge on penalties Sevilla beats Benfica 4-2 in penalty shootout in Europa League final after 0-0 draw Check out this story on USATODAY.com: CancelSend A link has been sent to your friend's email address. Posted! A link has been posted to your Facebook feed.

Join the Nation's Conversation To find out more about Facebook commenting please read the Conversation Guidelines and FAQs Sevilla beats Benfica in Europa Lge on penalties AP 7:47 p.m. ET May 14, 2014 Benfica's Lima fights for the ball against Sevilla's Coke during the Europa League soccer final between Sevilla and Benfica, at the Turin Juventus stadium in Turin, Italy, Wednesday, May 14, 2014. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini) (Photo: The Associated Press) CONNECT TWEET LINKEDIN COMMENTEMAILMORE TURIN, Italy (AP) — Penalty specialists Sevilla beat Benfica 4-2 in a shootout to win the Europa League after a 0-0 draw in the final on Wednesday, claiming another international title for Spanish football. Sevilla goalkeeper Beto saved two spot kicks from Benfica forwards Oscar Cardozo and Rodrigo who failed to deceive with stutter-step approaches to the ball. Substitute Kevin Gameiro stepped up to score the decisive kick as the drama played out at the end housing Sevilla fans who have seen this story before.

Sevilla had ousted city rival Real Betis on penalties in the last-16 round, and also won this competition in 2007 in a shootout. The Portuguese champion had dominated regulation time yet failed to score, and extended its streak of losing European finals to eight matches over 52 years. "The best team did not win," Benfica coach Jorge Jesus said. "Benfica players should be congratulated," Jesus said. "There is nothing I can criticize." Sevilla had seemed destined to win a competition it entered only after UEFA denied two Spanish clubs places because of financial problems. It had also been seconds from elimination in the semifinals against another Spanish team, Valencia. "We know how to suffer and we know how to fight. I think the result was fair," said Sevilla coach Unai Emery. "It's a very special evening." Sevilla, which won the competition for the third time in nine seasons, ensured Spain will sweep the season-ending European club competitions, with Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid meeting in the Champions League final on May 24.

Next month Spain will defend its World Cup crown in Brazil and seek to clinch a record fourth straight major international trophy after winning the European Championship in 2008 and 2012. Benfica, however, has not won a continental trophy since its greatest player, Eusebio, inspired two straight European Cup titles in 1961 and '62. Four months after Eusebio died aged 71, the Lisbon club missed another chance to end the unwanted record. Benfica returned to the scene of its semifinals triumph against Juventus and the match kicked off with patches of empty sets in the Italian champion's stadium. Three early opportunities for Sevilla broke down for Carlos Bacca's lack of finishing. The Colombia forward failed to shoot when collecting a pass across the goalmouth, drifted offside in a fast break started by captain Ivan Rakitic, and then could not connect with Rakitic's angled low cross. A testy spell midway through the half lacked creativity, and even Rakitic's shot from the center circle drifted well wide of goal. Benfica ended the half strongly, aided by loose play in the heart of Sevilla's defense.

Sevilla relied on Beto for a double save, swatting away Maxi Pereira's looping shot from close range and then parrying Rodrigo's low drive. Benfica claimed a penalty when Nicolas Gaitan fell under pressure from defender Federico Fazio who poked the ball barely wide of his own goal. Poor positional play by Sevilla defenders in the 48th was redeemed by three crucial blocks in the goalmouth as Lima, twice, and Rodrigo fired shots from 10 meters (yards). German referee Felix Brych rejected repeated Benfica penalty claims, with one clean tackle on Lima bringing a shower of flag sticks thrown by Portuguese fans behind Sevilla's goal. At the other end, former Arsenal forward Jose Antonio Reyes twice tested Jan Oblak around the hour mark with rising shots straight at the Benfica 'keeper. Sevilla needed another saving tackle in the 72th, when Coke denied Lima as the Brazilian shaped to connect with Maxi Pereira's lateral pass. Benfica again finished the half on top, and Beto leaped to tip over Lima's shot in the 84th.

When Beto then lost a deep cross, defender Ezequiel Garay headed over an empty Sevilla goal as the scoring chances continued to go begging. Bacca could have won it for Sevilla when breaking clear in the 101st minute but his rising shot flashed just wide. But Bacca, like his teammates, made no such mistake in the shootout - as Sevilla repeated its success on spotkicks in the 2007 UEFA Cup final against Espanyol. CONNECT TWEET LINKEDIN COMMENTEMAILMORE Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. NEVER MISS OUT Sports Stay in the know and in the zone, 7 days a week, with scores, analysis, and in-depth features and commentary. Sevilla 0-0 Benfica | Europa League final match report • After extra-time: Sevilla win 4-2 on pens | Football | The Guardian Share on Messenger Close Bela Guttmann's curse struck again.

Benfica put Sevilla under pressure for the majority of the 120 minutes but they could not score and as Oscar Cardozo and Rodrigo had their penalties saved in the shootout, Sevilla won their third Europa League final in eight seasons. For Benfica there was yet more gloom with a trophy in sight, as their run without European success stretched to 52 years. The story has it that Guttmann, the great Hungarian coach, cursed the club in 1962 when, having led the club to a second successive European Cup, he was denied a bonus by the board. He resigned and, it is said, as he stormed out of his meeting with directors, vowed the club would not win another European title in 100 years. Benfica have played in eight finals since and lost them all. On Wednesday night the sense was that, as chance after chance went begging, their players came to feel that they would never score, that the curse became real.

"Sevilla started off better than Benfica," Jorge Jesus, the Benfica manager, said, "but, as the match progressed, Benfica improved, showed it was the better team, more of a team and in the second half showed its power, had a number of opportunities to score, wasn't able to and then in extra-time was the team that played more. But the team that believed in the penalties was Sevilla and Sevilla ended up winning. "Today in the game the best team did not win. The Benfica players should be congratulated. There's nothing I can criticise." Ezequiel Garay could not react quickly enough as Beto spilled a free-kick at his feet, Rodrigo had a shot saved by Beto after sashaying past Federico Fazio, Nicolás Gaitán poked a shot just wide, Lima had an effort tipped over by Beto, then Garay put two other chances over. Twice in the space of a few seconds early in the second half Nicolás Pareja blocked goal-bound shots, the first from Lima, the second from Rodrigo. Pareja had a decisive game.

It might not have been calm or controlled defending but again and again he and Fazio, the other centre-back, got in the way, putting their bodies on the line, making last-gasp challenges. In front of them Ivan Rakitic, the elegant playmaker and captain, was superb, passing calmly and intelligently. Rakitic alluded to "a difficult season" but that is to understate it: given the turmoil at the club, their financial situation and the huge turnover of personnel, this was a remarkable achievement. "I think that the best team did win," said the Sevilla coach, Unai Emery. "I think the result was fair and we deserved to win this. We fought until the end. It's a very special evening for all our fans. "This competition is a competition that our fans really like because we've won it before. We've worked really hard because we thought we had the responsibility to win, but of course to win sometimes you have to suffer, but we've have learnt to suffer and that's why we reached the final today. We suffered against Betis, against Porto and against Valencia.

We know how to suffer and that's why we won." For Benfica, the sense was the chances only made things worse: they were not a sign of being in control, but of the fact that their fate was out of their control. They had seen this before, notably against Chelsea last season when they had much the better of the final before succumbing to Branislav Ivanovic's last-minute winner. Everything Benfica did betrayed their anxiety. Pereira, advancing in the right and gliding into the box after a deft first touch, squared for Lima but he missed his kick, tripped by the demons of Benfica's drought rather than by Pareja as he steamed across to cover. It was all too hurried, too frantic. Where in the first half they had tried to pass their way through and around Sevilla's holding midfield pair of Stephane Mbia and Daniel Carriço – on loan from QPR and Reading respectively, a bizarre dash of Championship blue and white in a European final – they went more and more direct. Chances were snatched at, opportunities wasted. Then in extra-time Sevilla's Carlos Bacca, hitting the space behind Benfica as they committed men forward, broke.

Emery, red elbow patches darting upwards in anticipation of glory, leapt from his bench, but the Colombian's shot flew just wide. And so it was left to penalties and Beto to uphold Guttmann's curse. Sevilla tops Benfica on penalties to win Europa - Sportsnet.ca Presented by: Sevilla tops Benfica on penalties to win Europa Sevilla won a penalty shoot-out to beat the Portuguese giants Benfica to the Europa League trophy in Turin. May 14, 2014, 5:44 PM Associated Press May 14, 2014, 5:44 PM TURIN, Italy — Penalty specialists Sevilla beat Benfica 4-2 in a shootout to win the Europa League after a 0-0 draw in the final on Wednesday, claiming another international title for Spanish football. Sevilla goalkeeper Beto saved two spot kicks from Benfica forwards Oscar Cardozo and Rodrigo who failed to deceive with stutter-step approaches to the ball. Substitute Kevin Gameiro stepped up to score the decisive kick as the drama played out at the end housing Sevilla fans who have seen this story before.

Sevilla had ousted city rival Real Betis on penalties in the last-16 round, and also won this competition in 2007 in a shootout. The Portuguese champion had dominated regulation time yet failed to score, and extended its streak of losing European finals to eight matches over 52 years. "The best team did not win," Benfica coach Jorge Jesus said. "Benfica players should be congratulated," Jesus said. "There is nothing I can criticize." Sevilla had seemed destined to win a competition it entered only after UEFA denied two Spanish clubs places because of financial problems. It had also been seconds from elimination in the semifinals against another Spanish team, Valencia. "We know how to suffer and we know how to fight. I think the result was fair," said Sevilla coach Unai Emery. "It's a very special evening." Sevilla, which won the competition for the third time in nine seasons, ensured Spain will sweep the season-ending European club competitions, with Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid meeting in the Champions League final on May 24.

Next month Spain will defend its World Cup crown in Brazil and seek to clinch a record fourth straight major international trophy after winning the European Championship in 2008 and 2012. Benfica, however, has not won a continental trophy since its greatest player, Eusebio, inspired two straight European Cup titles in 1961 and '62. Four months after Eusebio died aged 71, the Lisbon club missed another chance to end the unwanted record. Benfica returned to the scene of its semifinals triumph against Juventus and the match kicked off with patches of empty sets in the Italian champion's stadium. Three early opportunities for Sevilla broke down for Carlos Bacca's lack of finishing. The Colombia forward failed to shoot when collecting a pass across the goalmouth, drifted offside in a fast break started by captain Ivan Rakitic, and then could not connect with Rakitic's angled low cross. A testy spell midway through the half lacked creativity, and even Rakitic's shot from the centre circle drifted well wide of goal. Benfica ended the half strongly, aided by loose play in the heart of Sevilla's defence.

Sevilla relied on Beto for a double save, swatting away Maxi Pereira's looping shot from close range and then parrying Rodrigo's low drive. Benfica claimed a penalty when Nicolas Gaitan fell under pressure from defender Federico Fazio who poked the ball barely wide of his own goal. Poor positional play by Sevilla defenders in the 48th was redeemed by three crucial blocks in the goalmouth as Lima, twice, and Rodrigo fired shots from 10 metres (yards). German referee Felix Brych rejected repeated Benfica penalty claims, with one clean tackle on Lima bringing a shower of flag sticks thrown by Portuguese fans behind Sevilla's goal. At the other end, former Arsenal forward Jose Antonio Reyes twice tested Jan Oblak around the hour mark with rising shots straight at the Benfica 'keeper. Sevilla needed another saving tackle in the 72th, when Coke denied Lima as the Brazilian shaped to connect with Maxi Pereira's lateral pass. Benfica again finished the half on top, and Beto leaped to tip over Lima's shot in the 84th.

When Beto then lost a deep cross, defender Ezequiel Garay headed over an empty Sevilla goal as the scoring chances continued to go begging. Bacca could have won it for Sevilla when breaking clear in the 101st minute but his rising shot flashed just wide. But Bacca, like his teammates, made no such mistake in the shootout - as Sevilla repeated its success on spotkicks in the 2007 UEFA Cup final against Espanyol. %2Fsoccer%2Fsevilla-tops-benfica-on-penalties-to-win-europa%2F Europa League - Sevilla FC vs. SL Benfica Europa League final highlights - Crunchsports.com Sevilla FC vs. SL Benfica Europa League final highlights Sevilla FC vs. SL Benfica Europa League final highlights Crunch Sports Staff in Soccer 15 May 2014 15 shares (Photo by Ian Walton/Getty Images) Sevilla beat Benfica on penalties to win the Europa League in Turin on Wednesday night. Sevilla's victory was their third triumph in the competition in nine seasons.

Benfica were looking to win their first European trophy since 1962 and went close late on through Lima, but after 120 minutes of football, the game was still goalless and went to a shootout. It fell to Kevin Gameiro to score the winning spot-kick after Sevilla goalkeeper Beto denied Oscar Cardozo and Rodrigo. Click on the video above to watch highlights from Wednesday night's final at Juventus Stadium! Speaking after the win, Sevilla coach Unai Emery said: "At times the game was totally even, but by the end they were doing most of the pushing. "You could tell our players were suffering from fatigue and physical discomfort but this team has learned how to suffer. We have learned how to stay strong and so we were ready for that." Benfica coach Jorge Jesus insisted his side were better over the course of the game. "We were better but in football, the best team doesn't always win," he told reporters.

"We had the more chances over 120 minutes but we didn't take them." Sevilla beats Benfica in Europa League final Sevilla beats Benfica in Europa League final GRAHAM DUNBAR (AP Sports Writer) Share View photos Sevilla goalie Beto celebrates after winning the Europa League soccer final between Sevilla and Benfica, at the Turin Juventus stadium in Turin, Italy, Wednesday, May 14, 2014. Sevilla beat Benfica 4-2 on penalties to win the Europa League final. (AP Photo/Massimo Pinca) More TURIN, Italy (AP) -- Penalty specialists Sevilla beat Benfica 4-2 in a shootout to win the Europa League after a 0-0 draw on Wednesday, claiming another international title for Spanish soccer. Beto saved two spot kicks from Benfica forwards Oscar Cardozo and Rodrigo, whose stutter-step approaches to the ball didn't fool the goalkeeper. Substitute Kevin Gameiro stepped up to score the decisive kick at the end of the stadium where Sevilla fans stood and cheered. They have seen this story before.

Sevilla beat rival Real Betis on penalties in the round of 16, and also won this competition in 2007 in a shootout. Benfica dominated regulation time yet failed to score, and extended its streak of losing European finals to eight matches over 52 years. "The best team did not win," Benfica coach Jorge Jesus said. "Benfica players should be congratulated. There is nothing I can criticize." Sevilla entered the tournament only after UEFA denied two Spanish clubs places because of financial problems. It also had been seconds from elimination in the semifinals against another Spanish team, Valencia. "We know how to suffer and we know how to fight. I think the result was fair," said Sevilla coach Unai Emery. "It's a very special evening." Sevilla, which won the competition for the third time in nine seasons, ensured Spain will sweep the season-ending European club competitions. Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid meet in the Champions League final on May 24. Next month Spain will defend its World Cup crown in Brazil, seeking a record fourth straight major international trophy after winning the European Championship in 2008 and 2012.

Portuguese champion Benfica, however, has not won a continental trophy since its greatest player, Eusebio, led it to European Cup titles in 1961 and '62. Four months after Eusebio died, the Lisbon club missed another chance to snap the drought on Wednesday as it returned to the scene of its semifinal triumph against Juventus . Despite its strong play for 120 minutes, Benfica went home empty again. Reblog Sevilla extend Benfica curse with shootout win Sevilla extend Benfica curse with shootout win Reuters• Pin it Share Sevilla's coach Unai Emeri (centre left) holds the trophy after they beat Benfica on penalties in their Europa League final football match at the Juventus stadium in Turin May 14, 2014. REUTERS/Juan Medina More By Brian Homewood TURIN (Reuters) - Sevilla defended doggedly in a 0-0 draw before beating Benfica 4-2 on penalties to win the Europa League for the third time on Wednesday as the final curse of Bela Guttmann continued to haunt the Portuguese side.

Beaten 2-1 at the death by Chelsea in the same game 12 months ago, Benfica slumped to their eighth successive European final loss, putting a dampener on what had been a triumphant season. Benfica had the best of the opening 90 minutes but failed to take their chances and the confidence seemed to ooze away from them in extra-time. The writing appeared to be on the wall when Sevilla won the toss before the penalties and chose the end in front of their fans. Paraguay striker Oscar Cardozo, who has had an unhappy season and missed a penalty for his country in the 2010 World Cup quarter-final against Spain, took a stuttering run-up before Benfica's second penalty was saved by Beto. Beto also stopped Benfica's next spot-kick, a half-hearted Rodrigo effort, although the Sevilla goalkeeper appeared to move well off his line on each occasion. Kevin Gameiro then fired home Sevilla's fourth to clinch their third Europe League/UEFA Cup title. "In the end, they (Benfica) were pushing forward more as we were tired and all the games that we have played this season took their toll," Sevilla coach Unai Emery said.

"However, we have learnt to fight and cope with the difficult moments and we came out on top." Benfica's losing run is often referred to as the "curse of Bela Guttmann", the Hungarian coach who led them to successive European Cups in 1961 and 1962. On leaving the club in acrimonious circumstances, Guttmann said they would never win another European title without him."We were better but in football, the best team doesn't always in," Benfica coach Jorge Jesus said. "We had the more chances over 120 minutes but we didn't take them." Sevilla, playing their 19th match in this season's competition, gave Benfica an early scare when Vitolo cut the ball back to Carlos Bacca and Guilherme Siqueira dived in to intercept. CRUNCHING TACKLE Benfica lost midfielder Miralem Sulejmani who injured his shoulder in a crunching tackle by Alberto Moreno. Although the two sets of fans made a wall of noise each end, there were nearly 6,000 empty seats at the Juventus stadium, with an official attendance of just over 33,000.

The first half was often scrappy and niggly as Sevilla managed to blunt Benfica's attacking edge. Beto was called into action twice in quick succession before the break, first to stop an Maxi Pereira lob after the Uruguayan got in behind the Sevilla defence and then to block a Rodrigo effort after he burst down the right. Benfica, who have won the Portuguese League and League Cup and will attempt to complete a domestic treble on Sunday in the Cup final, should have gone ahead soon after the re-start. Pereira set up Lima who had a shot blocked off the line by Nicolas Pareja was also blocked. Pereira then set up another chance for Lima when he got in behind the Sevilla defence and this time the Brazilian forward completely missed his kick. Lima nearly grabbed a late winner with a dipping long-range effort which Beto just managed to turn over the crossbar. Benfica failed to carry the momentum into extra-time and Sevilla nearly went ahead when Ivan Rakitic sent Bacca clear down the right but the Colombian fired his just over the bar. Gameiro fired into the side-netting in the second half of extra-time after another break down the right.

By that time, fatigue had crept in, the pace had slowed and the game was littered with mistakes. (Editing by Ed Osmond) Sevilla seals Europa League title with shootout win over Benfica - CBC Sports - Soccer Sevilla seals Europa League title with shootout win over Benfica Penalty specialists prevail for 3rd time in 9 seasons The Associated Press Posted: May 14, 2014 8:21 PM ET Last Updated: May 14, 2014 8:21 PM ET From left, Nicolas Pareja, Coke, Beto and Kevin Gameiro of Sevilla pose with the trophy during the Europa League final match between against Benfica at Juventus Stadium on Wednesday in Turin. It is Sevilla's third Europa League win in nine seasons. (Michael Steele/Getty Images) Related Stories Sevilla, Benfica get jump in 1st leg of Europa semifinals Penalty specialists Sevilla beat Benfica 4-2 in a shootout to win the Europa League after a 0-0 draw in the final on Wednesday, claiming another international title for Spanish football.

Sevilla goalkeeper Beto saved two spot kicks from Benfica forwards Oscar Cardozo and Rodrigo who failed to deceive with stutter-step approaches to the ball. Substitute Kevin Gameiro stepped up to score the decisive kick as the drama played out at the end housing Sevilla fans who have seen this story before. Sevilla had ousted city rival Real Betis on penalties in the last-16 round, and also won this competition in 2007 in a shootout. The Portuguese champion had dominated regulation time yet failed to score, and extended its streak of losing European finals to eight matches over 52 years. "The best team did not win," Benfica coach Jorge Jesus said from Turin. "Benfica players should be congratulated," Jesus said. "There is nothing I can criticize." Sevilla had seemed destined to win a competition it entered only after UEFA denied two Spanish clubs places because of financial problems. It had also been seconds from elimination in the semifinals against another Spanish team, Valencia. "We know how to suffer and we know how to fight. I think the result was fair," said Sevilla coach Unai Emery.

"It's a very special evening." Sevilla, which won the competition for the third time in nine seasons, ensured Spain will sweep the season-ending European club competitions, with Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid meeting in the Champions League final on May 24. Next month Spain will defend its World Cup crown in Brazil and seek to clinch a record fourth straight major international trophy after winning the European Championship in 2008 and 2012. Trophy drought Benfica, however, has not won a continental trophy since its greatest player, Eusebio, inspired two straight European Cup titles in 1961 and '62. Four months after Eusebio died aged 71, the Lisbon club missed another chance to end the unwanted record. Benfica returned to the scene of its semifinals triumph against Juventus and the match kicked off with patches of empty seats in the Italian champion's stadium. Three early opportunities for Sevilla broke down for Carlos Bacca's lack of finishing. The Colombia forward failed to shoot when collecting a pass across the goalmouth, drifted offside in a fast break started by captain Ivan Rakitic, and then could not connect with Rakitic's angled low cross.

A testy spell midway through the half lacked creativity, and even Rakitic's shot from the centre circle drifted well wide of goal. Benfica ended the half strongly, aided by loose play in the heart of Sevilla's defence. Sevilla relied on Beto for a double save, swatting away Maxi Pereira's looping shot from close range and then parrying Rodrigo's low drive. Benfica claimed a penalty when Nicolas Gaitan fell under pressure from defender Federico Fazio who poked the ball barely wide of his own goal. Bad positioning Poor positional play by Sevilla defenders in the 48th was redeemed by three crucial blocks in the goalmouth as Lima, twice, and Rodrigo fired shots from 10 metres (yards). German referee Felix Brych rejected repeated Benfica penalty claims, with one clean tackle on Lima bringing a shower of flag sticks thrown by Portuguese fans behind Sevilla's goal. At the other end, former Arsenal forward Jose Antonio Reyes twice tested Jan Oblak around the hour mark with rising shots straight at the Benfica 'keeper. Sevilla needed another saving tackle in the 72th, when Coke denied Lima as the Brazilian shaped to connect with Maxi Pereira's lateral pass.

Benfica again finished the half on top, and Beto leaped to tip over Lima's shot in the 84th. When Beto then lost a deep cross, defender Ezequiel Garay headed over an empty Sevilla goal as the scoring chances continued to go begging. Bacca could have won it for Sevilla when breaking clear in the 101st minute but his rising shot flashed just wide. But Bacca, like his teammates, made no such mistake in the shootout, as Sevilla repeated its success on spotkicks in the 2007 UEFA Cup final against Espanyol. Report Typo or Error Send Feedback To encourage thoughtful and respectful conversations, first and last names will appear with each submission to CBC/Radio-Canada's online communities (except in children and youth-oriented communities). Pseudonyms will no longer be permitted. By submitting a comment, you accept that CBC has the right to reproduce and publish that comment in whole or in part, in any manner CBC chooses. Please note that CBC does not endorse the opinions expressed in comments. Comments on this story are moderated according to our Submission Guidelines . Comments are welcome while open. We reserve the right to close comments at any time.

Question: Which football team beat Benfica on penalties to win the Europa League in 2014?
Answer: Sevilla